Written by

Charles Bennett

Special Correspondent

COLUMBIA — Quarterback Connor Shaw is not the best passer South Carolina’s football team has ever had, and he’s not the best runner.

What he may be is the best combination of both.

Shaw’s dual threat capabilities have been a perfect fit for coach Steve Spurrier’s present offense and his play is a big reason the Gamecocks have been successful the last two years.

“A big part of his game is throwing and running,” Spurrier said. “He’s good at it, so we use it. Usually those other defensive coaches like quarterbacks that don’t run. That’s one less guy you’ve got to account for. It certainly helps out our offense — his ability to run.”

“He’s their second-leading ball carrier,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “He makes good decisions, gets the ball out of his hands and he is not going to stay in the pocket any length of time. If it looks like the play is not going to come open in a timely fashion, he’s out. He does an extremely good job just moving the chains.”

Although, a portion of Shaw’s runs are called plays, many are impromptu decisions on his part, either when he spots an opening or when a pass play breaks down around him.

“When he gets a small opening, he can take off and make 8 or 9 or 10 yards, which is certainly very helpful,” Spurrier said. “We turn him loose on that, certainly. If the guy’s there, we like for it to get out. He’s pretty good about it.”

South Carolina’s receivers say Shaw’s running ability keeps them on their toes.

“With Connor at quarterback, it’s fun,” said wide receiver Ace Sanders. “We know he can take off and run at any time and we also know he can pull up and throw the ball. At times it can get a little confusing on the scramble routes, but it usually works out for the best because he usually makes good decisions.”

A junior, Shaw says it’s his decision-making that has improved the most with experience.

“Absolutely,” he said. “It just gets better and better. I think the biggest thing for me is to limit the turnovers, manage the game and be smart with the football.”

Without a doubt, Shaw has been smart with the football. And now Spurrier, a coach who has relied almost his entire career on a high-scoring offense centered around the passing game, is learning that there are other ways to win football games.

“There's certainly always a place for running and ball control,” Spurrier said. “Right now, our style's been pretty good the last two years with a running quarterback and not throwing over 20, 25 times a game as a way of doing things.

“We've got a super defense. Our guys have really been good on defense. The offensive guys have been super also. That plus senior leadership gives you a chance. That's all we have right now is a chance. We do have that. Most years we haven't had that chance.